Iran escapes UN ban on caviar exports

A UN panel has extended the suspension of caviar exports by major producers of the delicacy except Iran, a UN diplomat said.

The decision from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora amounts to an indefinite extension of a ban imposed three months ago to try to reverse dwindling populations of sturgeon in the Caspian Sea region.

The world's top caviar exporting countries surround the Caspian Sea and account for 80% of the trade. The panel is allowing Iran to export up to 100,000lb (45,000kg) of caviar.